Java first winner for new Freedman partnership

Godolphin owned Java will be remembered as the first winner for the newly formed training partnership between Lee Freedman and his brother Anthony when the three year old won at Kilmore today.

Lee Freedman,left, has teamed up with his brother Anthony to train their first winner for their new partnership with Java winning at Kilmore. Photo by Taron Clarke.

The well-bred Java recorded a two and a quarter lengths win in the $15,000 Blue Cross – Willowmeade 3yo Maiden Plate (1100m) with Daniel Moor aboard and Lee Freedman was glad to get that first winner out of the way.

“It’s nice to get the win for Godolphin who’ve been good supporters of mine prior to retiring and of Anthony since,” Freedman said.

Freedman along with his three brothers Richard, Anthony and Michael dominated Australian racing during the 1990s and early 2000s and as well as winning nearly every major race on the Australian Racing Calendar, also won five Melbourne Cups with Tawriffic (1989), Subzero (1992), Doriemus (1995), and Makybe Diva (2004, 2005).

But Freedman shocked the Racing world when he announced he was handing the reins of his huge training operation over to Anthony in 2011 while Richard took up a career with Sky Racing and Michael set up his own training operation in Singapore.

“I’ve only been back around a week but everything is starting to settle into place now. I’m back into the swing of things at Flemington after not being there for twenty years,” Freedman said.

“It’s amazing after a week I’ve picked most of the little nuances about Flemington again and I’m really enjoying it.”

Even though Java only won a midweek maiden at Kilmore, Freedman believes the Medaglia D’Oro gelding will go on and win more prestigious races.

“He’s a well-bred horse and he’s a very attractive looking horse and although I never take a lot of notice of maiden winners, because a lot of horses win maidens and don’t go on, I thought his last 100 metres was good because he was getting away from the field,” Freedman said.

“His best form we’ll probably be anywhere from 1200 maybe even up to 1600 metres on his pedigree so it’s pleasing and we’ll see where we get to with him now.”

While Freedman is very keen to make a success of his training partnership with Anthony, they will keep their team small in numbers compared to the halcyon days.

“We will devote 100% to the small team,” Freedman said.

“This is the future in training, not huge factory operations.

“We won’t win premierships but want to deliver the very best results to our clients, old and new, whether it’s a maiden or a Melbourne Cup.”

“I’ve spent the best part of three years reorganising my life; I’ve missed the horses, the people and the great mornings and have unfinished business in the industry.”

About The Author

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.